Hydrant



23, 1937. J. DOPPELHAMMER 2,099,928

HYDRANT Filed July 20, 1936 INVENTOR JOHN DOPPELHAMMER ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. Z3, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in water hydrants., generally, and more particularly to a novel hydrant having means whereby it may readily be adapted for winter or summer use.

Hydrants, as now commonly constructed, are usuallyprovided with a drain passage whereby the water remaining inthe stand pipe, when the hydrant is shut off, will gradually drain therefrom as waste, for the express purpose of preventing the hydrant from becoming damaged by the water freezing therein in sub-zero weather. When the water in the stand pipe is thus drained therefrom, each time the hydrant is opened, the stand pipe must be lled its entire length, before water `will discharge from the hydrant. This is more or less objectionable, but is, of course, essential in the winter time to prevent the hydrant from freezing. In the summer months or in non-freezing climates, it is, however, desirable that the hydrant be so constructed that the water in` the drain pipe will not drain therefrom when the hydrant is shut 01T, whereby water will immediately begin to ow from the hydrant when it is initially opened. It is therefore desirable that the hydrant be provided with means whereby the drain passage may readily be retained either open or closed, when the hydrant is open, whereby the hydrant is adapted for both winter or summer use.

An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a hydrant having means embodied in the construction of the lower end thereof, whereby the water in the stand pipe may be caused to drain therefrom each time the hydrant has been used and is shut 01T, and which drain passage may, during non-freezing weather, be constantly closed so that the stand pipe will always be full of water, so that when the hydrant is initially opened, water will immediately begin to flow therefrom.

A further object is to provide a hydrant comprising a stand pipe having a casing at its lower end provided with a valve mechanism which may readily be removed from the hydrant for repairs, when necessary, by simply unfastening the fitting at the upper end of the stand pipe, whereby the usual operating rod and the main valve may be conveniently withdrawn from the stand pipe, and an auxiliary valve being provided in the valve casing for automatically closing the valve opening therein, to positively prevent flow from the stand pipe, when the main operating valve is removed from the hydrant, said auxiliary valve being operatively associated with the valve operating rod, whereby when the latter is inserted into the stand pipe, the auxiliary valve is automatically opened and is so retained during the normal operation of the hydrant.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simple and inexpensive construction of the hydrant, as a whole, whereby it may be manufacturedat small cost; in the construction of the valve casing at the lower end of the stand pipe, which preferably comprises two sections suitably bolted together and removably supporting therebetween a partition having a Valve opening therein adapted to be closed by a suitable valve operablefrom the upper end of the stand pipe; in the unique construction of the means for con- 1 trolling i'luid ow through the drain passage, whereby the hydrant is adapted for both winter and summer use; and in thesimple construction of the valve mechanism disposed within the casing, which is such that the entire valve mechanism may readily be removed from the stand pipe without dismantling the latter, and whereby the iiuid flow from the supply pipe to the stand pipe is automatically cut 01T; when the valve mechanism is thus removed from the hydrant.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawing and will be pointed ut in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawing there has been disclosed a Astructure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the general construction of the hydrant with the main operating valve in closed position;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the drain passage control means positioned for summer operation; and

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view showing the valve mechanism partially withdrawn from the stand pipe, and the auxiliary valve in closed position to prevent fluid ow from the hydrant.

The novel hydrant herein disclosed, is shown comprising a stand pipe 2, provided at its upper end with -a threaded terminal 3 adapted to receive one end of a coupling member 4, the opposite end of which is secured to a suitable fitting 5, threaded at its upper end as shown at 6, to operativelysupport the upper end of a valve rod 'l provided with a hand wheel 8. The fitting 5 is shown having one end of a pipe 9 connected thereto, from which the water discharges from the hydrant, when the latter is open.

The stand pipe 2 has a valve casing at its lower end, generally indicated by the numeral I I. This valve casing comprises an outer wall I2 and an inner wall I3, spaced from the outer wall to provide a chamber I4. The inner wall I3 is cylindrical in cross-section and serves as a cylinder, as will subsequently be described.

The valve casing II comprises a lower section I5 suitably secured to the upper section or wall I2 by suitable bolts i8, as clearly illustrated in the drawing. The lower section I5 terminates in a reduced threaded end portion I'I adapted to be connected to a suitable supply pipe I8.

A partition I9 is secured in position between the upper and lower sections of the valve casing II, and provides the lower wall of the chamber I4. The partition I9 has a valve opening 2I adapted to be closed by a valve 22, which will hereinafter he referred to as the main valve. The valve 22 is secured to the lower end of the operating rod 'I, as best illustrated in Figure 1.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the means provided for automatically interrupting fluid flow from the stand pipe 2, when the operating rod I and Valve 22 are removed therefrom. To thus interrupt uid ow from the supply pipe I8, an auxiliary valve 23 is shown pivotally connected to the partition I 9, and is provided with a stop 2&3, which normally holds the valve 23 inthe position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The auxiliary valve 23 is arranged to close the valve opening 2 I, as shown in Figure 3, when the valve rod is withdrawn from the stand pipe 2.

To retain the auxiliary valve 23 in open position during norm-al operation of the hydrant, the operating rod 'I is shown provided at its lower end with a stem 25, which normally projects downwardly through the valve opening 2|, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and engages the auxiliary valve 23 to retain it in open position, as clearly illustrated in these two gures. When it is found necessary to remove the valve 22 from the st-and pipe, the rod 'I is withdrawn from the stand lpipe 2, whereuponthe pressure of the water will close the auxiliary valve 23, as shown in Figure 3, whereby flow through the stand pipe is positively interrupted, while the rod 'I and valve 22 are removed from the stand pipe.

To remove the rod from the stand pipe, the tting 5 at the upper end of the stand pipe is uncoupled from the coupling member 9, whereby the tting 5 maybe removed as a unit with the rod I. If desired, however, the fitting 5 may be removed from the upper end of the rod 1, by detaching the hand wheel 8 from the rod.

Another import-ant feature of the invention resides in the means provided whereby the hydrant is rendered applicable for use for either summer or winter operation. A drain passage 26 is provided in the wall of the casing II and communicates at its inner end with the interior of the cylinder I3. The cylinder is shown provided with a liner 2l which, preferably is of some suitable rust-proof material to prevent corrosion of the parts. The diameter of the liner 2'I is preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore of the stand pipe 2, as clearly illustrated in the drawing.

To thus render the hydrant operable for both winter and summer operation, means is provided for closing the drain passage 26 when the valve 22 is closed, whereby the drain pipe 2 is constantly retained full of water, as indicated in Figure 1. The means provided for thus closing the drain passage 26 is shown comprising a pistonlike device, generally indicated by the numeral 28, shown comprising two suitable packing elements 29 and 3 I suitably secured to the sleeve 32, loosely and movably mounted upon the valve rod 'I. Suitable spacing collars 33 and 34 space apart the packings 29 and 3l, and all of the parts of the device 28, including the sleeve 32, are secured together as a unit, by suitable nuts 35 and 36, received in threaded engagement with the ends of the sleeve 32.

The piston device 28 is secured against longitudinal movement upon the rod 'I by suitable pins 37, received in apertures provided in the valve rod. These pins may be in the form of ordinary cotter pins, whereby they may readily be removed from the rod or secured thereto. In Figure 1, the piston 28 is shown positioned between the cotter pins 31, whereby the lower end of the sleeve 32 is spaced from the upper end of the nut 38, secured to the lower end of the rod 'I and forming a part of the main valve 22. When the piston 28 is so positioned, its upper packing element 29 will close the drain passage 2S, when the main valve 22 is in closed position, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. When the piston 28 is thus positioned, the water remaining in the stand pipe 2 cannot drain therefrom, when the main valve is closed.

During the winter months, or in freezing weather, it is essential that the water in the stand pipe be drained therefrom, each time the hydrant has been used, in order to prevent damage to the stand pipe as a result of Water freezing therein. To thus drain the water from the stand pipe, the valve rod 'I is removed from the stand pipe and the lower cotter pin 3'I removed from the rod and inserted into the aperture 39 in the rod l, whereby the piston will be positioned on the rod 'I with its lower end engaging the nut 38 of the main valve 22, and its upper end the cotter pin positioned in the aperture 39, as illustrated in Figure 2. When thus positioned, it will be noted, by reference to Figure 2, that when the valve 22 is closed, the packing 29 of the piston 28 will be positioned below the level of the drain passage 26, whereby all of the water in the stand pipe above the packing 29 will drain therefrom through the passage 26 as waste,

It will thus be seen that by providing means whereby the piston 28 may be positioned either as shown in Figure 1, or as shown in Figure 2, the hydrant is adapted for both winter and summer use, which is highly desirable in hydrants of this general character. By preventing the water from draining from the stand pipe 2,' when the valve 22 is open or disengaged from its seat, water will immediately commence to flow from the pipe 9 at the upper end of the stand pipe.

When the valve 22 is unseated or moved into open position, the water will flow from the lower section I5 of the valve casing II, through the valve opening 2I and into the chamber I4, from whence it may flow into the stand pipe 2 through a series of holes 4I, shown provided at the upper end of the chamber. It is to be noted that the lower end of the cylinder I3 is spaced from the partition I9, whereby water may freely flow around the lower edge of the cylinder wall and through the chamber I4, `and holes 4I into the stand pipe 2, when the valve is opened. W'hen the valve 22 is in closed position, as shown in Figure 1, the piston 28, when positioned on the CFI rod 'l between the cotter pins 31, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, will close the drain passage 26, whereby the water cannot drain from the stand pipe 2. It is also to be noted that the stem 25 is of suflicient length to constantly retain the auxiliary valve 23 open, regardless of whether the main valve 22 is in closed or open position.

A suitable valve 42 may be secured to the upper end portion of the valve rod 22, as shown in Figure 1, adapted to engage a seat 43, when the main valve 22 is open, thereby to prevent leakage around the valve rod 1 at the threads 6, when the hydrant is open. The valve 42 is necessary only when the pipe 9 is connected to a closed system as, for example, a pressure tank, whereby a pressure is developed in the pipe 9. When the pipe 9 discharges into an open receptacle, or to the atmosphere, the valves 42 may not be necessary.

The apparatus as clearly illustrated in the drawing, is comparatively simple and inexpensive, and may readily be manufactured in quantity production at small cost. It comprises few movable parts, all of which are readily accessible by simply removing the fitting from the upper end of the stand pipe and withdrawing the rod 1 therefrom, as hereinbefore described.

I claim as my invention:

1. A hydrant comprising a stand pipe provided at its lower end with a valve cas-ing, a cylinder within the valve casing having its walls spaced from the wall of the casing to provide a chamber, said chamber having a valve opening in its lower portion for establishing communication between the chamber and a supply pipe, a Valve for closing said valve opening, an operating rod for the valve having a threaded connection with the stand pipe, whereby rotation of the rod will seat or unseat the valve, a drain passage for the stand pipe, whereby its contents may be drained therefrom, when the valve is closed, and a piston device having an axial bore for receiving the operating rod and whereby the rod and piston device are adapted for free relative rotation, and means for preventing longitudinal movement of the piston device on the rod.

2. A hydrant comprising a stand pipe provided at its lower end with a valve casing, a Icylinder within the valve casing having its walls spaced from the wall of the casing to provide a chamber, said chamber having a valve opening in its lower wall for establishing communication between the chamber and a source of supply, a main valve for closing the valve opening having an operating rod, said rod having threaded engagement with the upper end of the stand pipe, whereby rotation of the rod will seat or unseat the valve, said stand pipe having a drain passage for draining its contents, a piston having an axial bore loosely receiving the operating rod and' whereby the rod and piston are adapted for free relative rotation,

means for longitudinally adjusting the position of the piston on the rod, whereby the piston may be positioned to either open or close the drain passage, when the main valve is closed, whereby the hydrant is adapted for both winter and summer use, and an auxiliary valve adapted to automatically close said Valve opening, when the rod and main valve are removed from the stand pipe, and means on the rod for opening said auxiliary valve when the rod is positioned in the stand pipe, whereby said auxiliary valve is constantly open during normal operation of the hydrant.

3. A hydrant comprising a stand pipe, a valve casing at the lower end thereof comprising upper and lower sections suitably secured together, means for connecting the lower section to a supply pipe, a partition between said upper and lower sections having a valve opening therein, a valve for closing said opening comprising an operating rod extending upwardly through the stand pipe, threaded means at the upper end of the stand pipe for operating the valve rod to open or close the valve, said stand pipe having a drain passage for draining its contents, a member having a bore loosely receiving said rod and whereby said member and rod are adapted for free relative rotation, and means whereby said member may be axially adjusted on the rod so that the member will either open or close the drain passage when the valve is closed, whereby the hydrant is adapted for winter or summer use.

4. A hydrant comprising a stand pipe, a valve casing at the lower end thereof comprising upper and lower sections suitably secured together, means whereby the lower section may be connected to a supply pipe, a partition between said upper and lower sections having a Valve opening therein, a main valve for closing said opening, an operating rod for said valve, having threaded engagement with the upper end of the standpipe, whereby rotation of said rod will open or close the main valve, said stand pipe having a drain passage for draining its contents, a piston having an axial bore loosely receiving the valve rod and whereby the piston and valve rod are adapted for free relative rotation, means whereby said piston may be positioned on the rod to either open or close the drain passage, when the valve is closed, whereby the hydrant is adapted for either winter or summer use, an auxiliary valve pivotally mounted on said partition and adapted to be actuated by the pressure of the water in the supply pipe, thereby to close said valve opening, when the valve rod and stem are removed from the stand pipe, and said valve rod having a stem at its lower end for engaging and holding the auxiliary valve open, during normal operation of the hydrant.

JOHN DOPPELI-IAMMER. 

